"Is Mademoiselle here?" asked the French maid, peering in uncertainly from the hall door. She had rapped repeatedly and getting no response had gone downstairs to look for Kathleen, only to be told that she was in her own room. "Come in, Julie, and turn on the electric switch," directed Kathleen, and blinked as the room was suddenly flooded with light. Without rising she removed her hat-pins and handed her hat and coat to the maid. "Just the blue foulard tonight. What have you there?" "Some flowers, mademoiselle," handing the box to Kathleen. "Captain Miller left them at the door himself, and seeing me in the hall asked that I give them to you at once." With a Frenchwoman's tact she busied herself in getting out the blue foulard and pretended not to see the blush and smile which accompanied Kathleen's opening of the box. She did not speak again, helping Kathleen with deft fingers to finish her toilet, and then stood back to contemplate the effect. "Will mademoiselle attend the meeting tonight?" she asked. "No, I am not a member of the Sisters in Unity. I had forgotten the club was to meet here. Perhaps mother will need you now. Don't wait." But the Frenchwoman lingered. "Mademoiselle," she began. "Mademoiselle." "Yes, Julie." "_Pardon_". Turning abruptly, Julie opened the door and glanced up and down the hall, then gently closed and locked it. With equal quietness she bolted the sitting-room door. Watching her with growing curiosity Kathleen saw that her comely face was white and drawn. "Listen, mademoiselle." The Frenchwoman was careful to keep her voice low-pitched. "I dare to speak tonight--for France." "For France!" echoed Kathleen. "France." Julie's tone caressed the word. "My country needs your father's invention--Ah, mademoiselle, do not let him sell it to another." "He will offer it first to our own Government." "Will he, mademoiselle? Ah, do not be offended," catching Kathleen's swift change of expression. "I dare speak as I do--for France; think me not disrespectful--but others wait to tempt your father." "Nonsense!" "I know what I know, mademoiselle. It has gotten abroad that Mr. Whitney has completed his invention, that tests prove it successful--and, mademoiselle, this house is watched." Kathleen looked at Julie incredulously. Had the maid taken leave of her senses? Between nervousness and anxiety the Frenchwoman was trembling from head to foot. "Warn your father, mademoiselle; he will listen to you." "I will," with reassuring vigor. "Tell me, Julie, what has aroused your suspicion?" "Many things. When it creeps out that M. Whitney has succeeded, I say to myself--the Germans, they will be interested. And I wait. Then madame engages Henry...." "Henry? The chauffeur?"